Research Stream: Social Structures
Authors: Rachel McGettrick – PhD Student, Department of Psychology & ALL Institute, Maynooth University. Dr. Blanca Suarez-Bilbao – Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Business & ALL Institute, Maynooth University.
Why, in 2024, do women and early-career researchers still face barriers to entering, thriving, and staying in academic careers? Despite progress, gender inequality continues to cast a shadow over the research sector. Women frequently encounter substantial barriers in career advancement and remain underrepresented in leadership roles within academia and research institutions. Women made up 41% of the EU’s 18 million scientists and engineers – and earned 16% less than men on average. Additionally, women were more likely to regard themselves as early career researchers for longer, and to be on part-time and/or fixed-term, hourly-paid and zero hours contracts, at a significantly higher rate than their male counterparts. These challenges, compounded by increasing pressures in academia, impact not only career progression but also researchers’ overall well-being.
To address these issues, the PROMOTE project, funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and supported by the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, is creating an inclusive environment for researchers – particularly those early in their careers. Led by Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and Dr. Marian Crowley-Henry – with team members Christine O’Sullivan (Project Manager), Dr. Blanca Suarez-Bilbao (Postdoctoral Researcher/Community Manager), and PhD students Neasa Boyle and Rachel McGettrick, PROMOTE prioritizes researchers’ wellbeing to empower their work.
PROMOTE: A New Approach to Research Careers
PROMOTE is transforming the way early-career researchers navigate academic life. Central to the project is the PROMOTE app, a digital platform where researchers can connect, access resources, and share opportunities such as funding, publications, and networking events. Alongside this, PROMOTE conducts workshops at partner universities – Maynooth University, University of Limerick, South-East Technological University (SETU), and Munster Technological University (MTU) – to equip researchers with practical skills like writing narrative CVs and applying for funding. This approach emphasizes well-being as integral to a successful career, recognizing that personal and professional growth are interconnected.
Recognising Barriers to Well-being
Beyond structural issues, early-career researchers face personal challenges that can hinder their well-being, including feelings of isolation, lack of confidence, and boreout – a state of disengagement that can arise from the sometimes solitary, repetitive nature of research work, and the general lack of clear pathways for career advancement. PROMOTE fosters a sense of community and well-being to combat these barriers, helping researchers reconnect with their work’s purpose. The initiative also targets systemic inequities by supporting women and researchers facing additional challenges, such as disabilities or socio-economic disadvantages. By valuing diverse perspectives, PROMOTE ensures all researchers feel included.
Collaboration is key. Researchers of all genders and career stages are encouraged to get involved by following PROMOTE’s social media channels and signing up to the PROMOTE platform. By engaging this online community, the project fosters the idea of shared learning and mutual support, enriching the research experience and enhancing the well-being of researchers. Workshops and peer support empower researchers to tackle academic and personal challenges alike, contributing to their overall well-being and resilience in the face of barriers.
Feedback from Attendees:
PROMOTE events have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with attendees praising the supportive and engaging atmosphere they experienced. Attendees have appreciated the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and learn from others in academia. One participant noted, “I liked listening to women talk about their experiences; it made me feel less alone.” Others remarked on the collaborative spirit, saying, “Meeting everyone at different stages of their careers willing to help and support each other,” and the empowering energy of the events: “Feeling a lot more empowered walking out than walking in.” The initiative has also normalized discussing the challenges of academic life, with one attendee affirming, “Vulnerability is normal in academia.” These reflections underscore PROMOTE’s impact in fostering a welcoming and empowering space for early-career researchers – in turn contributing to their well-being.
Building on the Foundation: Introducing the PATHWAYS Project
The PATHWAYS project, another collaboration between Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and Dr. Marian Crowley-Henry, alongside Rachel McGettrick and Dr. Blanca Suarez-Bilbao, builds on PROMOTE’s foundation to explore the complexities of academic careers in Ireland. This initiative focuses on understanding the research landscape, with particular attention to early-career researchers, who often face precarious conditions such as short-term contracts and limited career security.
PATHWAYS aims to uncover why some researchers leave the field while others persist, and to identify the opportunities and challenges shaping their career paths. A key objective of the project is to create Ireland’s first national dataset on research career demographics and trajectories. Currently in its data collection phase, PATHWAYS welcomes new participants to contribute to this effort. This open resource will support further studies and provide a nuanced understanding of the research landscape in Ireland.
Fostering Well-Being Through Inclusion
PATHWAYS emphasizes a commitment to creating a supportive environment where researchers from all backgrounds can thrive. By spotlighting the voices of early-career researchers, the project highlights the importance of shared experiences and collective learning. This approach echoes PROMOTE’s ethos of normalizing vulnerability, sharing challenges, and ensuring no one feels isolated. As a PROMOTE attendee remarked, “We’re all women, and we all struggle—we’re not alone in fighting this.” Such insights underscore the transformative potential of such initiatives to promote resilience and well-being in academia.
Aligning with Our Values: Impact and Contribution
The PROMOTE and PATHWAYS projects are deeply aligned in the ALL Institute’s core commitment to inclusion and broad participation. These projects go beyond identifying challenges; they actively contribute to reshaping policies and practices to foster a more equitable and supportive environment for all researchers, particularly women and those facing systemic barriers.
By prioritizing well-being and emphasizing diversity, these projects recognise the importance of personal and professional growth as interconnected elements of a fulfilling research career. Through this work, we are paving the way for a research landscape that mirrors the diversity of our society and benefits from the active participation of all its members.
If you’re a researcher in Ireland, remember: your voice matters.